How do you use a semicolon?: Difference between revisions

How do you use a semicolon? (view source)

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 ==The use of semicolon==
-*The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not
+*The semicolon is used to separate major sentence elements of equal grammatical lengths (Hacker 250).
+*The semicolon is used between closely related independent clauses not
 joined with a coordinating conjunction (Hacker 251).
+*Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a
-Related independent clauses in one sentence are usually connected with a
 comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).
+**The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. If the
-The conjunction expresses the relation between the clauses. If the
+relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect the clauses with a semicolon instead (Hacker 251).
+:*"''Injustice is relatively easy to bear;what stings is justice''." - H.L.Mencken
-relation is clear without the conjunction, a writer may choose to connect
+*A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been
+omitted between independent clauses.If a comma is used instead of a
-the clauses with a semicolon instead (Hacker 251).
+semicolon, it creates a kind of run-on sentence called a comma splice.
-:Injustice is relatively easy to bear;what stings is justice.
-							--H.L.Mencken
-A semicolon must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction has been
-omitted between independent clauses.If a comma is used instead of a
-semicolon, it creates a rather of run-on sentence called a comma splice.